Stewardship and Vulnerability
WHAT’S YOUR MONEY STORY? What is most difficult for you in your relationship with money? When you were growing up, what was your sense of money? Never enough? Just enough to get by? More than enough? I never knew anything about money growing up. What is most joyful in your relationship with money?
WHAT’S YOUR MONEY STORY? When you a child, what was your sense of money? Never enough? More than enough? Just enough? What did church show/teach me about money? I never knew anything about money growing up. What is most joyful in your relationship with money? Is there balance between giving and receiving in your life? What would be a radical step for you to take as a giver?
FROM OUR STEWARDSHIP LETTER We know for many people money is a difficult subject, fraught with complex emotions including confusion, shame and secrecy. These emotions often emerge when money is talked about in church. Yet we all know that maintaining the ministry of Saint Mark is important to us, because it’s God’s work. Each of us desires to give generously and from a grateful heart. We believe this is the true purpose of stewardship: the experience of God’s grace that leads to gratitude and brings forth generosity from a glad heart!
QUESTION TO BEGIN WITH THE CONGREGATION What would stewardship in your congregation look like if it were based on the principles of vulnerability and courage? What would change? What would stay the same?
MONEY AND YOUR CONGREGATION What is your congregation’s relationship with money? Is it ok to talk about money in a candid way? Name significant financial events in the life of your congregation. Are they talked about? If so, how? Would your congregation do a money autobiography? What brings your members joy around money?
MONEY AND OUR CONGREGATION Lenten series money autobiography. Pastors leading by example (from the pulpit). Session risk on pledges received. Using language of vulnerability in stewardship letter. Session asking for more money. Being in the arena, going “all in” with money and vulnerability. “Why I give,” beyond “because I love the youth group.”
RESOURCES • Daring Greatly - Brené Brown - 2012 - Gotham Books • Rising Strong - Brené Brown - 2015 - Speigel & Grau Publishers • Braving the Wilderness - Brené Brown - 2017 - Random House • The Vulnerable Pastor - Mandy Smith - 2015 - IVP Press • Narratives of a Vulnerable God - William Placher - 1994 - WJK Press • Faith and Money Network: faithandmoneynetwork.org • Roy Howard: pastor@saintmarkpresby.org • Shelby Etheridge: associate@saintmarkpresby.org
Recommend
More recommend
